wigwam
wigwam Lexical Profile
wigwam Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A dome-shaped or sometimes conical dwelling formerly used by certain Native American tribes of the Northeastern and Central United States and Canada, typically constructed from a framework of arched wooden poles covered with bark, woven rush mats, or animal hides.
"The historical village reconstruction features several authentic wigwams built using traditional methods and locally gathered birch bark."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term 'wigwam' is frequently confused with 'teepee'; a wigwam is typically a dome-shaped, semi-permanent dwelling used by Northeastern Native American tribes, while a teepee is a conical, portable tent used by Great Plains tribes.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived in the early 17th century from Algonquian languages, such as Eastern Abenaki 'wìkəwəm' or Ojibwe 'wiigiwaam', meaning 'their house' or 'their dwelling'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.